“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.”
The Loneliness
This verse names not forsaking the assembling here, worth examining directly, this specific, practical instruction worth holding as this movement’s own needed, concrete practice, genuine belonging requiring this described, actual, physical gathering, not merely private, individual belief alone.
Notice as the manner of some is, worth holding as honest acknowledgment that this described forsaking was already, genuinely a real temptation even in this early church, worth examining whether this same, honest temptation has characterized your own practice, gradually, actually drifting from genuine assembling.
This is worth applying against however much your own belief in adoption and belonging has remained theoretical, without this further, described, practical assembling, worth considering what actually, practically prioritizing this described gathering might require of your own current schedule and habits.
Consider today what not forsaking the assembling actually, practically requires of you, not merely believing in belonging but this described, concrete practice, worth taking one specific step today toward this actual, physical gathering this verse names as genuinely, practically necessary.
Live As Family
- Examine whether you have drifted from actual, physical assembling, like the manner of some.
- Take one concrete step today toward prioritizing genuine, physical gathering.
- Consider what exhorting one another actually requires of your own presence and participation.
Prayer
Lord, let me not forsake the assembling of myself with others, but let me provoke unto love and good works, and be exhorted, through actual, physical gathering. Amen.
Carry this today
Genuine belonging requires actual, physical assembling, not merely private, theoretical belief.